RVP: Moment I knew Man City were beatable

DONG-WON IT ... Sunderland's Ji Dong-won fires in the winning goal against City in January

THIS is the moment Robin van Persie believed Manchester City could be beaten.

Arsenal’s No 1 striker reckons City’s Premier League predicament can be traced back to when they lost in the dying seconds at Sunderland.

Now the Gunners skipper aims to secure third place and end City’s title dream today by firing his side to victory at the Emirates.

The flying Dutchman agrees with City boss Roberto Mancini’s assessment that his side’s quest to be champions will be all over if rivals United beat QPR and they then lose in North London.

He said: “They had their first real setback away at Sunderland when Dong-Won Ji scored an offside goal three minutes into injury time.

“It was New Year’s Day and a massive shock. Everyone suddenly thought, ‘Hey, they are beatable after all!’

“So, for me, that was the moment it all turned around for them. Before that, they were unstoppable. They were beating everyone in style.

“But since then they have been having a really hard time and Sunday’s match is now a must-win for them. They just can’t afford to lose.

“It’s a must-win game for us too because we want to finish the season in third to clinch automatic qualification for the Champions League.”